In a Roland Garros semifinal that goes down as an immediate classic, Dai-Yokozuna (=great Grand Champion) Roger Federer stopped long standing Ozeki (=Champion) and tournament favorite Novak Djokovic in four sets, 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6. Except for the second set, when Djokovic fell into a bit of a hole, this match was as intense and classy as they come. Djokovic was often the grittier player from the baseline, creating fabulous angels, while Federer could rely on his serve and, at crucial moments of the game, produced this dose of Federer magic that made the difference once again.
Had Djokovic--who was unbeaten thus far this year--won this match, he would have been a Yokozuna (=Grand Champion) himself, to be precise the 16th male Yokozuna of the Open Era. This loss does not end the Yokozuna run altogether, but now Djokovic needs to win Wimbledon to make it to the highest rank. There can be little doubt that he has Yokozuna potential, but on this evening the grand "old" man from Switzerland denied the brilliant Serb the final step. The loss also cost Djokovic the #1 ATP ranking--for now.With all the excitement about this epic encounter, once could almost forget that another fine semifinal was also played today. The other current Yokozuna, Rafael Nadal, earned a hard-fought win in three sets over newly promoted Ozeki Andy Murray. One more victory on Sunday and Nadal would have 10 Grand Slam titles under his belt, which would grant him the honorary title of Dai-Yokozuna, as only the sixth player of the open era. The existing five Dai-Yokozuna are Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, and, well, Roger Federer.
So it is up to Federer to keep membership in this most exclusive of clubs down. Against the King of Clay Nadal he will be the clear outsider--but then, he also was that today.
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